Artificial intelligence is increasingly accessible beyond wealthy Western nations, bringing transformative benefits to the Global South in areas such as health, agriculture, and industry. These innovations are improving lives by addressing challenges that were once difficult to overcome due to limited resources and technology.
In several developing countries, including India, Pakistan, and Kenya, rural workers face significant risks from operating dangerous machinery like fodder cutters, which have large, fast-spinning blades powered by small generators. Accidents with such machines often result in the amputation of hands or arms, leaving affected individuals, particularly women, with diminished independence, lost livelihoods, and social exclusion.
Advanced prosthetic solutions, previously out of reach for many in these regions, are now becoming more accessible thanks to AI-powered tools. These technologies enable the creation of sophisticated prosthetics similar to those available in wealthier countries, offering practical and life-changing solutions.
In Pakistan’s Sindh province, Karachi-based Bioniks Technologies partnered with UN Women to design prosthetic limbs specifically for female workers affected by such accidents. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D modeling, digital scanning, and artificial intelligence, the initiative has produced lightweight, durable, and intuitive bionic arms, significantly enhancing the daily lives and independence of these women.
